What if it all worked out? What if that first date after months (or years) could go really well; or that interview you landed after countless rejection emails – how about that working in your favor?
What if, instead of jumping into the abyss of Worst Case Scenario, that things might just turn out the way we wanted them to and more?
Worst-case scenario thinking happens to the best of us. All of us have probably engaged in it to a certain degree at some points of our lives. It’s also known as “catastrophizing”, a mental habit of predicting the worst possible outcome when presented with limited information for a situation.
It’s overwhelming; and sometimes, it’s more than being dramatic or over-exaggerating.
Some suggest that this pattern has an evolutionary basis to it – we are hardwired to focus on danger to survive in the wilds. On the other hand, catastrophizing is also examined through a psychological lens. While it can be associated with anxiety, depression and other conditions, sometimes it’s also as simple as it being a learned response to past events that left our worldview reframed. Some of us may not even be aware of this pattern of thinking when it does take place, and when left to run wild, it could be potentially self-destructive. It can lead to a mental barrier in us facing challenges because our problems are made out to be larger than it seems in our heads.
But fear not.
All of us are stronger than we think; and the body is a vessel of adaptability and resilience, keeping us safe through years of evolution. The first step to overcoming any kind of barrier is cultivating the awareness of the barrier existing in the first place! There are accessible tools like journaling and meditation that allow you to take a step back and observe what’s going on inside.
It’s always helpful to work through these things with a mental health practitioner to explore tools and strategies that work for you. Not only does this provide immense support in your journey of healing, but it also keeps you accountable!
In a world where we’re always on the go, always fixing, always doing… It’s important to also take a break and be kind to yourself. Give yourself the time to reflect and adjust. Healing isn’t linear; and for most of us, it can be a dance back-and-forth for a lifetime. And that’s okay, because life is nuanced like that.
In time, we might even get to a mental place where we can shine the light of good possibilities in our minds, and allow ourselves to ask: What if it all worked out?
